Tan Chee Kiang

Tan Chee Kiang’s practice of architecture spans over 20 years. His early exposure to all project phases and to a myriad of projects encompassing a broad range of typologies have equipped him with field expertise, versatility and astute project management skills. A testament to his preeminent design sensibility and astute project management skills, Chee Kiang was named one of Singapore’s 20 leading architects under the age of 45 in 2010.

Chee Kiang approaches every project as an opportunity to not just fulfil the client’s vision, but also to contribute to surrounding contexts. His ability to elevate responsive projects allows him to create elegant and timeless design solutions that discourse with the context, site and programme. The relevance of his design is attributed to his collaborative working approach, where understanding and embracing clients’ needs are key.

As both a designer and a project director, he brings effective application and delivery of design ideas and technical solutions to the table. His experience in developing construction documents, providing consultant coordination, and executing construction administration ensures that the design intent and aesthetics are carried through to the final product. His insights in both the creative and practical aspects are invaluable to each stage of the process, ensuring the formation of long-standing client relationships. High-performance buildings such as One Marina Boulevard and Frasers Tower speak to Chee Kiang’s expertise. The former complements the cityscape through scale, materiality and a connection to nature. The Frasers Tower project was awarded in 2013 after winning an international design scheme. To create an expressive building on Cecil Street, its design leveraged a number of significant site constraints and an existing park.

The projects also attest to Chee Kiang’s specialisation and expertise in workplace design in high density city centres, where he aims to enhance the creative potential of occupants and benefit their day-to-day workflows. He believes in the importance of a harmonious relationship between building and surroundings, hence making sustainability an important aspect of his designs. Chee Kiang sees the potential in public office spaces to generate green, liveable cities through engaging communities and improving the urban fabric. To that end, he is not only spearheading DPA’s Workplace Typology Research Group. He also actively collaborates with other research typologies and disciplines such as DP Façade and DP Sustainable Design to collect data and analyse emerging trends for future use in further design explorations.